WELCOME to CAROLINA PANACHE! I believe our homes should be a haven, a place of beauty and peace that reflect who we are and what's important to us. I'm on a journey to add personality and panache to every corner of my house. For me, good design evolves, grows and changes with the needs of one's lifestyle. I want my home to be creative, to be stylish, to be entertaining, to be real. I hope you will join me on my journey. It's always more fun to travel together.

This blog is all about bringing style and elegance to the home. The art of dressing your home goes beyond hanging a few items on the wall and arranging furniture. Much like a fabulous set of earrings or a new stylish handbag may take your little black dress from fine to fabulous, home accesories and key furnishings can take your rooms from ho-hum to singing the Halleluiah Chorus! Join with me as we discover new ways to add panache to every room of the house.

Happy 2010! The beginning of a fresh, new decade!

Happy New Year!

Wow! Am I glad that 2009 is over and 2010 has officially begun! Now that’s a change for me. I usually am not the person wishing away time or longing for the New Year however this year I was definitely ready for a change and with the New Year will come a change in scenery. Once the holiday décor is packed away, the house will need some added warmth as we snuggle down inside to wait out the cold winter months ahead. I typically start taking down my holiday décor on January 2nd. Tomorrow my game plan is to start with the formal living room and dining rooms. This is where I use the most traditional décor and lots of RED. Once that is packed away, the rooms will feel bare and a little lifeless. To add back that needed warmth, here are my top 4 tips I live by:
1. Add warmth by including darker, richer color. I like to add pillows and throws in colors like chocolate, evergreen or ruby. These colors complement my décor but deep shades of caramel, navy or plumb would be lovely at this time of year too!
2. Include cozy accents. I break out the handmade crocheted afghans that my Mother-in-law, Ann, has made me. Keeping them draped on the back of chairs or sofas make them handy when Old Man Winter brings a chill to the air. If your upholstery is springy or summery, try adding a slipcover in a darker shade to cozy up your space.

3. Cover your windows. I like to hang heavier window treatments during the winter months. The benefits are two-fold: 1) heavy weight fabrics help to insulate against winter’s cold temperatures and 2) adding color and pattern keeps the winter blahs at bay. Nothing is more depressing to me than bare trees and gray horizons!

4. Use greenery generously. After taking down my holiday wreaths, garlands and swags, I always feel that my home is naked. A few years ago, I started keeping evergreen wreaths and garlands (less the holiday glam and glitter) displayed through the end of February. Adding fresh touches of cedar, pinecones, natural holly and magnolia leaves gives a full, lush look that is perfect all winter long. Another fun trick is to add twigs of pepper berry in vases and pots throughout the house to punch up natural elements and add interesting color and texture.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I hope to share some before and after pictures with you later this next week as I prepare my own home for the winter months ahead. What are some of the ways that you cozy up your nest after the holidays? Please share your best tips for adding stylish winter warmth!
Until I see you again,
Live Life Beautifully!~Alisa

I always look forward to your blog posts and this one is no exception. What great ideas, and its funny that you mention keeping up greenery thru the winter, cause I was thinking that I would do the same this year. I was looking for ways to keep that holiday warmth but keeping it simple and some fresh cedar and pine will be just the ticket. I saw a square wreath in a magazine the other day that was just simple greenery from outdoors! It was lovely and I'm gonna try it. The smell should be heavently. Thanks for sharing your ideas.

I currently dabble in the forex market and using a US broker. How will I be taxed on my earnings, and what happeneds if I lose money that year, is it a capital loss? HOw does this work in regards to canadian tax laws with the broker being in the US? [url=http://forexrobot-review.info]best forex software[/url] [url=http://for-you.rapidboards.com/index.php?act=ST&f=11&t=897]unlock iphone[/url]

I wish I would have visited your blog sooner. My family cleaned the house of everything decorated for Christmas. They thought I was crazy wanting to leave up some garland and lights. What fabulous ideas! Blessings in 2010!

Good day, sun shines!There have were times of troubles when I felt unhappy missing knowledge about opportunities of getting high yields on investments. I was a dump and downright stupid person. I have never imagined that there weren't any need in big starting capital.Nowadays, I feel good, I started to get real income. It's all about how to choose a proper companion who utilizes your money in a right way - that is incorporate it in real business, parts and divides the profit with me.

You can get interested, if there are such firms? I have to tell the truth, YES, there are. Please be informed of one of them: [url=http://theblogmoney.com] Online investment blog[/url]

Hey Alisa, Happy New Year and a Belated Merry Christmas! I love your fresh New Year decorating ideas! Very refreshing! I was in Huntersville /Cornelius over the weekend moving my son into his new townhouse. It was a marathon trip up from GA and back. Still hoping I can call you sometime when I'm up in that area again. Hope you had a lovely Christmas with your friends and family! :) ~CC Catherine

Good day, sun shines!There have were times of hardship when I felt unhappy missing knowledge about opportunities of getting high yields on investments. I was a dump and downright pessimistic person. I have never thought that there weren't any need in large starting capital.Now, I'm happy and lucky , I started to get real money. It gets down to choose a correct partner who utilizes your funds in a right way - that is incorporate it in real business, parts and divides the profit with me.

You may get interested, if there are such firms? I have to tell the truth, YES, there are. Please be informed of one of them:http://theblogmoney.com

Good day, sun shines!There have were times of hardship when I felt unhappy missing knowledge about opportunities of getting high yields on investments. I was a dump and downright pessimistic person. I have never thought that there weren't any need in large starting capital.Now, I feel good, I begin to get real money. It's all about how to choose a correct partner who utilizes your funds in a right way - that is incorporate it in real deals, and shares the income with me.

You may ask, if there are such firms? I'm obliged to answer the truth, YES, there are. Please be informed of one of them:http://theinvestblog.com [url=http://theinvestblog.com]Online Investment Blog[/url]

the music of what happens [url=http://mp3-s.co.uk/all_music-egobomber-94747-1/]Egobomber[/url] much music 50 sexyist songs http://mp3-s.co.uk/all_music-production-house-10-1/ glowworm music ancient china contribution of dance and music [url=http://mp3-s.co.uk/all_music-dpek-173637-1/]Dpek[/url] sheraton music city http://mp3-s.co.uk/all_music-puretone-11-1/ corbin krauss music la convert music into abc notation [url=http://mp3-s.co.uk/all_music-jacob-golden-55351-1/]Jacob Golden[/url] wood music stand nsm music videos download [url=http://mp3-s.co.uk/all_music-we-be-the-echo-90986-1/]We Be the Echo[/url] swarthmore music http://mp3-s.co.uk/all_music-subtronix-28-1/ new england patriots music gilette stadium america cup music [url=http://mp3-s.co.uk/all_music-allanfort-25564-1/]Allanfort[/url] does music affect attitudes http://mp3-s.co.uk/all_music-storm-troopers-26-1/ music for organ chimes

Come to the Table

Life & Style By God's Design

About Me

I am an Interior Decorator who loves all things home and hearth! Decorating, painting, arranging furniture and home accessories is not a chore but where creativity and inspiration take flight. I love to entertain, cook and extend hospitality. I've been married for 21 years and have two wonderful sons. I believe home should be a haven, a place of beauty and rest from the pressures of daily life. Join me on my quest to add beauty one room at a time.